Russia iPhone Statue Dismantled After CEO Tim Cook Comes Out as Gay

In this 10 January 2013 file photo, a girl touches the screen showing a portrait of Steve Jobs in the courtyard of the Techno Park of the St Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University) in St Petersburg, Russia. (Anatoly Maltsev/EPA/Landov)

The company cited adherence to Russia's law that protects minors from homosexual propaganda, though critics have condemned the edict as a way of repressing sexual minorities.

St. Petersburg lawmaker Vitaly Milonov, who has rallied against gay rights, and helped write a law that was signed by President Vladimir Putin, has called for Cook to be banned from entering the country, according to Reuters, citing Russian media reports.

Apple declined to comment on the removal of the statue, though Twitter users had their own comments.